Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-02-21

:
under Senate Joint Resolution No. 3, 'te
investigate the management and examine
| the condition of the Peniteutiary,' beg
leave TO submit the following report
'On the 3Sth of January, 1887, one Mr.
W. Z. Wilkinson filed with your Commit
tee charges and specifications against the
! Superiptendent of the Penitentiary.
I'VE are of opinion that as to the charge
Of using instruments Tor the iniicilon ol
cruel and inhuman punishment on con-
victs, that such instruments were IN use
prior and up to June -, 1886, but were
at that date abolished by order OF the
Board of Directors of said institution,
which instruments consisted of what were
known and called by the names of 'Shoo-
fly and Kicking Jenny which will be
found fully described in said testimony.
At the date aforesaid the Board OF Di-
rectors adopted the following rules, pre-
scribing the modes Of punishment for i'll
fractions of discipline, tO-wit:
'First-ReduCtiOn of ratiOns.
'SecOnd-Bread and water diet, the cX-
tent of such deprivation from food to be at
the discretion Of the physician.
'rhrl-Solitary confinement on bread
aud water in the dark cell, such contine-
ment not 10 exceed "a hours at any one
time.
'Fourth-FOrleitur of privileges on
holidays, Sundays, good time, &c.
" 'Fiith--ln extreme cases Of lnsubOrd-
ination, bucking and gagging in the dark
cell.
Adopted by the board OF directors OF
West Virginia Penitentiary June -, lSs6.
"YOur committee respectfully recon-
mends the following additional rule, to
wit:
"FOr the punishment of a refractory
convict. he shOuld he handcufied to the
barS of his cell door so as to he compelled
to stand during the number Of hours he
should have been at work, his hands on 4
level with his breast. IntlagraLt cases
the prisoner should lie required tO stand
in that attitude during the night except
two hours, commencing at twelve o'clock
midnight, but no case should Il prisoner
he required to stand thus more than twcn.
| ty-iOur hours continuously.
''2 We find this mode 10 have been sue.
cessiully adopted ut the Joliet prison, Hi.
ent ut one time was betrayed into the use
of indiScreet expressions concerning the
| Hoard Of Directors.
''3. We find that the third charge is moi
sustained by the evidence.
~ We find that the fourth charge is moi
sustained, hut on the contrary is disap
proved, it appearing from the evidence
adduCed that the Superintendent has been
exemplary in his general department.
20. We find rs TO the fifth charge that
whilst the Superintendent was not guilty
of fraud and miSappropriation OF the fund:
of the institution, etc, yet hc acted Will
indiscretOn, snhiecting himself to unjust
imputations upon his official character.
50 We find that the sixth is diSap
proved, the Superintendent having shown
the committee that he had paid for all sup
plies belonging To the institution apprO
priated 10y himself.
~. We find that charge seventh is not
sustained by the evidence.
81. We find that the eighth charge was
wholly without foundation in fact.
'9. We find that charge number nine i,
not sustained. On the other hand VIZ
found the Superintendent good disciple
marian, with efficient business qualities.
40. As To the charge number ten, We
find that in few instances, cruel and
brutal punishment was inflicted upon con,
victs by the orders OF the Superintendent
Your committee unanimously concur il
the recommendation that the SO-called
'shoO-ny,' 'kicking-ienny,' and bull
rings be forever abolished, it having beer
conclusivcly shown to your committed
! that they are instruments of unusual cru
city. the use of which is repulsve to The
feelings of humanity.
"Eleventh-We find that charge mum
Der eleven is not subStantiated You
committee, further reporting, say that W,
thoroughly examined the Penitentiary
and found it in good condition, the pris
ouers generally enjoying good health. th,
dormitOries, dining room and other apart
ments kept cleanly and in good order. IL
short, everything pertaining to this insti
tuition, except rs herein otherwise re
ported, whice came under observation, re
Elected credit upon its present manage
ment, and would compare favOrably will
any other similar institution in tn
country.
''In view of the growing sentimen
against contract convict labor, your com
mittec most earnestly recommends tina
the State should buy sufficient quantit,
of land adjoining the prison, to be cult
vhted by unemployed convictS
to the end that enough vege
tables aud other supplies for tn
use of the institution might be produced
In this connection your committee wOul,
suggest that by sinkinga shalt in such Ian,
fuel could be had by such labor for tn
supply Of the prison"
The Committee made quite a number 4
recommendations rs TO building additional
buildings, etc.
1--WE finally suggest 4 thorough reVi
sion OF the laws of the State, relating t
the rrnitentiary, embodying the recon-
mendations herein made.
"Nery respectfully submitted,
lSigned. CHARLES l.. Brown,
Chairman.
y. +. SCuTr,
MARION GwINN,
en- the part OF the Senate
J. J. HINER,
e.. w. KINSEY,
GEO. L. CROW,
J. NJ. MCKINNEY,
J. p. JONES,
On part of the House of Delegates
THE COMPLEMENTARY BALL
to the members of the Legislature Monda,
night by the citizens of Charleston, prom
ises to he a grand affair and extensive pre-
pasations are being made for it. The Sen
ate has granted the use of the Senat
chamber for that purpose.
Mrs. Governor Z. W. Wilson will give
reception Tuesday afternoon in honor o
Mrs. ID. b. Lucas and daughter, who ar
rived in the city to day.
Mr.. TOler, the GreebaCk Labor delegate
in nominating V. 4. Gates yesterday, &C
cused Senator McCreery of making
Ia start for the GubernatOria
chair. Further on he said: II desire L
make a few remarks in reference 10 Mr.
Gates competency aud desirability. IL
is q man who earns his bread according
TO the dictates OF divine history
The speech was highly appreciated h.
the large audience present.
About one hundred bills are on the Sen
ate Calendar on second reading, 70
Monday.